Self-esteem and empathy in sighted and visually impaired preadolescents. Journal of visual impairment and blindness

Abstract: This article reports on a study of self-esteem and empathy among 71 students with visual impairments and 88 sighted students. No significant difference was found between the two groups of students in their levels of self-esteem, empathy toward others, and bonding with pets. Special acknowledgments are extended to Rachelle Jones, Effie Laman, and Dwayne Matlock, doctoral students in the College of Education at Texas Tech University, and to the College of Education for funding this project. Self-esteem and empathy are important components of any child's development. As children develop a sense of self and interact with and gain experience in the world, their self-esteem is affected. Self-esteem has been defined as the value that an individual places on his or her own characteristics, qualities, abilities, and actions (Woolfolk, 2001). Baumrind (1991) suggested that the development of self-esteem (including self-regulation and competence) in children and adolescents requires an environment that provides both the freedom to explore and experiment and protection from danger. Individuals with hig